Bottled beverage carrying case



Feb. 7, 1961 H. c. KAPPEL EI'AL BOTTLED BEVERAGE CARRYING CASE FiledNOV. 17, 1958 2 SheetsSheet 1 mum W United States Patent BOTTLEDBEVERAGE CARRYING CASE Henry C. Kappel, Elmhurst, and Leo J. Martin,Chicago, Ill., assignors to The Richardson Company, Melrose Park, 111.,a corporation of Ohio Filed Nov. 17, 1958, Ser. No. 774,532

1 Claim. (Cl. 220-21) This invention relates to cases adapted to carry aplurality of bottled beverages and, more particularly, to molded caseshaving new and improved structural and design features.

At the present time, the majority of cases in use for carrying bottledbeverages are made of wood, such cases usually being adapted for holdingeither twenty-four individual bottles or provided with four separatecompartments for holding four packs of six bottles each. Wooden casesnormally are made by assembling a plurality of preformed parts includinga bottom, four sides, and internal partitions. Such parts are generallyheld together by nails and dovctailing of corners. Metal brackets arealso used as additional reinforcement. Frequently, a particular user orbottling company will paint, stencil or otherwise apply advertisingindicia or markings to the external surfaces of the sides, such as abrand name or slogan.

In general, wooden cases have given adequate service, however, they dohave a number of disadvantages. For example, during use carrying casesare continually subjected to impacts and other rough treatment to theextent that they tend to disintegrate, whereby splinters and largersegments of the wood parts are broken away. Also, by reason of the factthat wood is somewhat porous, cases made from wood have a relativelyhigh moisture absorption creating a war-page problem and consequentloosening of the component parts of the case. In addition, slogans,brand names or other advertising indicia or markings, painted on theexternal surfaces of the sides are unprotected and, hence, damaged bycontact with other cases or objects, whereby the indicia or markingsbecome somewhat illegible after a relatively short time.

In view of the disadvantages of the wooden cases as enumerated above,proposals have been made to make bottled beverage carrying cases fromother materials and, particularly, plastics. One such proposal ispresented in the patent to Keller, 2,626,079, disclosing a bottlecarrying case which may be molded from an appropriate plastic material,for example, rubber, this patent particularly emphasizing a means forimproving the strength of the handle grip of such cases. The Ruschmanpatent, 2,781,147, also discloses a molded case with emphasis on aparticular molding composition, namely a rubber friction scrap. Whilecases molded from compositions of the type disclosed in the foregoingand other patents and having various designs have been attempted, suchcases have met with only limited success commercially.

The present invention, while directed to a molded case, is not concernedwith any specific molding composition, but rather is primarily concernedwith the structural and design features of a case. Thus, the cases ofthe present invention may be molded from a variety of appropriateplastic materials. Among such materials are not only the aforementionedrubber friction scraps, but thermoplastics, such as polyethylene orpolypropylene or even thermosetting resinous materials, for example,phenolic resins.

2,970,715 Patented F ch. 7, 1961 It is one of the prime objects of thisinvention to provide an integral one-piece molded bottle carrying casewhich may be used interchangeably with present commercial cases andparticularly those made from wood.

Another object is to provide a molded bottle carrying case havingcertain structural and design features, not heretofore employed incarrying cases, which enables the case to withstand appreciable abuseand shock to the end that it has a relatively long life as compared tothe normal wooden case.

A further object is to provide an integral one-piece molded carryingcase containing raised advertising indicia, such as brand names andslogans, integrally molded with the case in a protected position so asto prevent destruction of or damage to such indicia.

These and other objects will become more apparent from the descriptionof the case set out in more detail hereinafter.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an integral one-piece molded casehaving structural and design features contemplated by the presentinvention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of one corner of the case,partly broken away.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view, in cross-section, of a plurality ofcases illustrating the maner in which such cases may be stacked whenempty.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view, in cross-section, of a plurality ofcases illustrating how the casm may be stacked when loaded with bottledbeverages.

Figure 5 is a plan view illustrating a modification of the internalpartitions of the case.

Turning now to the drawings and, in particular, to Figures 1 and 2, theletter C indicates generally a molded bottled beverage carrying case,the same being provided with side walls 10 and 11, endwalls 12 and 13,2.bottom 14, and internal partitions 15, all formed simultaneously as anintegral unit in a single molding operation. As is disclosed in Figures1 and 2, the partitions 15 have, generally, a sinusoidal shape andextend angularly across the case. Suflicient partitions are used. in themodification shown so as to provide for twenty-four individualcompartments. Each compartment is adapted to hold a single bottledbeverage.

Normally, due to the strength and impact resistance that can beincorporated into many currently available molding compositions, amolded bottle carrying case may be formed having relatively thin sidesas compared to the fairly heavy or thick sides of a wooden case.Accordingly, with selected compositions, over-all dimensions of somemolded bottle carrying cases may be smaller than the equivalent casesmade from wood. It is desirable, however, that the molded cases beformed in a manner whereby they can be used interchangeably with woodencases. This requirement is particularly important with respect to use ofthe cases in automatic filling and loading machines which have beenadopted by the bottling industry. The internal dimensions of a moldedcase should be such that it can adequately hold bottles of predeterminedsize in a reasonably firm manner. Correspondingly, the externaldimensions of the case, preferably, should be sufiicient to trip thevarious levers, etc. which are used in automatic bottle filling andloading machines without requiring any appreciable change in suchmachines when a molded case is substituted for a wooden case. Theflanges and ribs, which constitute an important part of the design ofthe cases of the present invention in that they olfer protection toraised advertising indicia, may also serve to enlarge the externaldimensions of the case when required.

As shown in the drawings, each of the side and end walls, for the mostpart, is relatively thin in cross-section. Extending continuously aroundthe upper and lower perimeter of the case are flanges 19 and 20, whichactually are integral with and constitute thickened projections of theside and end walls. As indicated, these flanges, projecting outwardlyfrom the walls, enable the molded case to have appreciably largerexternal dimensions without the necessity of using additional materialto make the respective walls, as a whole, relatively thick. Further, theflanges as well as the ribs, described below, serve as additionalreinforcement for the Walls.

In addition to the flanges, each side and end wall is provided with twohorizontally spaced ribs, the ribs of walls 11 and 12 being indicated bythe numerals 21, 22, 23, and 24, respectively. Each rib extends betweenthe flanges 19 and 20 and constitutes an integral part of the walls. Itwill be noted that, by reason of the flanges and ribs, wholly enclosedrecessed areas are formed on the outer surface of each wall, such asrecessed area 25 on side wall 11 and recessed area 26 on end wall 12.During the molding operation, a particular brand name 27, slogan 28, orother indicia, may be molded into the recessed areas 25 and 26 as anintegral part of the walls. The indicia, as shown, is preferably moldedwith raised letters, which thereby increases the appeal of theparticular advertising involved. It is contemplated that the letters ofthe brand and slogan, while projecting outwardly from the surfaces of aWall, willnot extend beyond the flanges 19 and 29 or ribs 21, 22, etc.Thus, the flanges and ribs will substantially protect the raised indiciafrom appreciable damage or disfigurement. This relationship between theflanges, ribs, and raised indicia is further illustrated in Figure 4which shows clearly the protection afforded by the flanges 19 and 20 andrib 21 to the letters of the brand name 27.

In preparing a particular molded case for selected customers, certaincolor contrasts may be employed. For example, the unaltered portions ofrecessed areas 25 and 26 may be changed in appearance by applying alight colored paint, such as white, while the surface of the brand andslogan letters may be covered with a contrasting color to make themstand out. It can readily be seen, by reason of the protection affordedby the flanges and ribs, that paint or other coloring applied to thesurface of the recessed areas and the surface of the raised letters willbe relatively well protected from abrasion or wear due to contact withother objects.

In order to give additional support to the handle areas, the handleopening 30 is provided with a flange section 31 around its lowerperimeter which extends up to and blends with that portion of the flange19 extending around the end wall. The flange 31 in addition alsoprovides further protection for the letters of the slogan 28 in the samemanner as the flanges 19 and 20 and ribs 23 and 24.

In order to conserve space, it is desirable that bottle carrying casesbe formed in a manner which will enable them to be more easily stacked,either empty or loaded. With this requirement in mind, the bottom of thepresent case is designed with certain structural features which enablesthe accomplishment of the foregoing.

As is best disclosed in Figures 3 and 4, the lower flange 20 ispositioned slightly above the lower extremity of the case. Further, thatportion of the bottom 14 extending below the walls is recessed slightlyinward from what might be considered its normal juncture with the wallsif the latter were extended downward. This design re sults in theformation of a continuous recess 33 around the bottom perimeter of thecase. When the cases are stacked empty, the upper edge of the flange 19is adapted to fit into recess 30 such that the bottom of a higher caseof a stack is nestled and reasonably well secured in the caseimmediately below, as is indicated in Figure 3.

Further, to reduce to some degree relative movement of cases whenstacked loaded, the bottom of each case is provided with a slight recess35 which is adapted toreceive the top of a bottled beverage disposed inthe case immediately below.

In order to permit the free egress of any water which collects in thecase, a plurality of holes may be provided in the bottom of the case. Tofurther assist in the discharge of any such water and also to reduce, asmuch as possible, the adherence of dirt to the bottom of bottles whichhas accumulated in the bottom of the case, each compartment is normallyprovided with several raised projections 36 for supporting the bottom ofa bottle and prevent it from resting flush with the bottom of thecompartments.

As is shown in Figures 1 and 2, a plurality of sinusoidal partitions hasbeen provided forming twenty-four individual compartments into which maybe inserted twentyfour individual bottled beverages. Where the materialused to mold the case has enhanced physical properties, such partitionsare entirely adequate. For a case having twenty-four compartments, it ispossible to mold the partitions in the usual rectangular patternnormally found in wooden cases. However, partitions of this type are notparticularly advantageous in a one-piece molded case and, in fact,require more material, thereby increasing costs. Frequently, thepartitions are such that the compartments are slightly oversize withrespect to the average bottle carried in the case and, accordingly, itmay be desirable to provide a plurality of vertically extending ribs 37on the surfaces of and formed integrally with the sinusoidal partitions.When such ribs are used, they are normally provided in groups of fourfor each individual compartment. In addition to the use of the ribs inreducing the dimensions of the particular compartments so as to insure areasonably snug fit for bottles, such ribs do give additional strenghtto the partitions.

As previously indicated, it may be desirable to provide a molded casewhich can be used to carry a currently popular six-pack carton. In suchinstances, a case, as shown in Figure 5, having four individualcompartments may be used. Except for the change in internal partitions,the external structure and design of the walls and bottom will remainthe same to achieve the objects heretofore mentioned. Likewise, otherpartition designs may be employed as required.

Having described the invention and certain exemplary embodimentsthereto, what is desired to be claimed is as follows. i

We claim:

An integrally molded one-piece plastic beverage bottle case comprisingfour walls each having a straight portion and rounded end portions, saidwalls integrally connected at said end portions, a bottom, said casehaving twentyfour compartments formed by a series of eight independentportions extending at an angle across said case, the shortest two ofsaid partitions being arcuate and the remaining portions beingsinusoidal, said compartments having opposed integral verticallyextending ribs molded on either side ofsaid portions in back to backrelationship for providing a snug lit for the bottles disposed in thecompartments, the bottom of said compartments having a plurality ofsmall projections to prevent the bottom of a. bottle disposed in thecompartments from resting flush with the bottom of said compartment, twoverticall I spaced outwardly projecting flanges extending continuouslyaround the upper and lower external perimeter of said case, each flangecomprising an integral part of said walls, two horizontally spaced ribscomprising an integral part of eachwall and extending between saidflanges and connecting said flanges, said spaced ribs being located oneither end of the straight portion of each wall and before the roundedend portions, said flanges and said ribs forming between them recessesat the corners and on the sides of said case, raised advertising indiciadisposed in said recesses, and integral with walls, the maximumprojection of said indicia from the surface of said walls not exceedingthe projection of said flanges and ribs, and handle open ings providedin two opposing walls, said opening being bounded at the tops by theupper of said projecting flanges and a third curved flange extendingaround the remaining perimeter of said opening and connected at its endsto said upper flange, a recess extending around the lower externalperimeter of the lowermost flange and adapted to receive the upper edgeof a case when said cases are stacked in an unloaded condition, saidbottom having on its under side a plurality of recesses adapted toreceive the tops of the bottles disposed in a lower case when aplurality of cases are stacked in a loaded condition, at least two ofsaid portions being recessed at one end at the place of connection ofsaid two portions with said wall at said handle openings, and all ofsaid walls,

partitions, flanges, ribs, recesses, projections, bottom and openings,having smooth rounded edge surfaces.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D.135,108 White Feb. 23, 1943 2,414,171 Scharff Jan. 14, 1947 2,526,113Blackwell Oct. 17, 1950 2,626,079 Keller Jan. 20, 1953 2,626,725Stevenson Jan. 27, 1953 2,743,030 Read Apr. 24, 1956 2,804,985 Cross eta1. Sept. 3, 1957

